Tag Archives: Social Mobility

Acuity, Axis Group’s specialist Front of House division, has partnered with Growing Talent – an initiative run by the Jane James Consultancy (JJC) and focused on furthering social mobility through employment – as part of a programme to offer full-time job opportunities to those people who are struggling to find work.

Acuity is offering regular three-month initiatives, with JJC presenting suitable Front of House candidates. A ‘speed dating’-style meeting is then arranged that Acuity uses to create a shortlist, followed by one-to-one meetings with decision-makers at the participating Acuity site. The applicant is then mentored throughout the training process and, if they successfully complete the programme, the permanent role becomes theirs.

The process includes two off-site weeks where soft skills such as personal finance, fitness, nutrition, art, mental health and well-being are addressed in detail.

Chiara Di Renzo, director of Acuity, said: “The Growing Talent initiative provides a unique opportunity for job seekers and employers. There’s a guaranteed permanent job offer at the end of the process that’s based on an assessment of the candidate’s personality and suitability for the role, rather than their CV and experience. In combination with the training process, this lends itself to both parties feeling confident in the employment offer.”

Mohammed Ismail

The first employee to have gone through the process is Mohammed Ismail, who had been working in multiple jobs to make up the hours and wages he needed, but didn’t feel he had a future in any of these roles.

Originally employed in Acuity’s SELECT team providing high-quality holiday and sickness cover to Acuity’s suite of high-profile clients, Ismail now has a permanent role as the Acuity corporate receptionist at one of the business’ for whom he provided cover.

Di Renzo commented: “Even without specific Front of House experience, Mohammed had a very well-established understanding of customer service and what a five-star welcome is.” For his part, Ismail stated: “It was the best decision I have ever made for my career progression.”

Jane James, managing director of JJC, concluded: “Without insightful employers like Acuity being willing to recruit in a different way, the untapped talent in our unemployed communities would always remain hidden.”